1) System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone → allow your app. 2) Keyboard → Dictation → On. 3) Quit and relaunch the target app. 4) Test your mic input in System Settings → Sound.
Checklist
- Microphone permission granted to Voice Type and your target app.
- Dictation enabled in Keyboard settings.
- Voice Control turned off if you want standard macOS Dictation.
- No other app is exclusively using the microphone.
- Input level shows activity in System Settings → Sound.
If the Dictation shortcut won’t trigger
- Open System Settings → Keyboard → Dictation and confirm Dictation is enabled.
- Check the Dictation Shortcut dropdown (often Fn twice) and try a different option or Customize.
- If you’re looking for the “microphone key” on your keyboard: Where is the microphone key on MacBook Pro?